Portable bath apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

A portable bath apparatus includes an enclosure formed by a bottom wall, first upstanding wall portions, and second upstanding wall portions. The first upstanding wall portions are stationary relative to the portable bath apparatus, and the second upstanding wall portions are movable relative to the stationary first upstanding wall portions. The movable wall portions define a bottom edge adjacent the bottom wall such that when the movable wall portions open relative to the stationary wall portions, a portion of the bottom wall can be positioned under a piece of furniture, such as a bed, to assist a physically challenged person into and out of the portable bath apparatus. The portable bath apparatus may further include hydrotherapy jets and a shower device which provide a person utilizing the portable bath apparatus with numerous options for personal hygiene.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to bathing devices, and more particularlyto portable bath and shower devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Personal hygiene is important for everyone. Personal hygiene maybe even more important, however, for disabled persons. A disabled personmay include anyone who is in any way physically impaired in a way thatmakes bathing or showering more difficult than for the normal person.Disabled persons often face significant challenges when they try tobathe, shower, or otherwise clean themselves. Indeed, the simple act ofarising from one's bed or chair and walking or otherwise moving into andout of a bath or shower facility can present tremendous challenges todisabled persons.

[0003] Many devices have been developed over the years in attempting toassist disabled persons to move easily to shower and bathe. U.S. Pat.Nos. 3,616,467 and 5,978,983, for example, both describe portable bathdevices. While these devices may be movable, there remain numerousproblems that have yet to be completely resolved. Anything that willassist an invalid in showering or bathing is significant. For example,while many traditional portable bathing devices are movable (i.e., theyhave wheels or castors mounted to the bottoms of such devices), thesedevices must still remain “parked” a distance away from the bed or otherarea where the invalid normally rests. Moving the distance between thebath device and bed or other area can be extremely difficult.

[0004] Additionally, alternatives or additives to bathing have generallynot been available for the physically challenged. Traditional portableshowers lack effectiveness and ease of use. Still further, portablebathing devices generally do not have other types of therapy ortreatment available (e.g., hydrotherapy).

[0005] There is a need, therefore, to provide a portable bathing devicethat is completely portable or movable such that it can be positioned,at least in part, underneath a bed or other seating device to assistphysically challenged persons in entering into and exiting from theportable bathing device. There is also a need to provide a portablebathing device that offers a shower capability along with a bathingcapability. Still further, there is a need to provide a portable bathingapparatus that can be filled to cover a substantial portion of theperson and that includes an ability to provide hydrotherapy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention relates to a portable bathing device. Theportable bathing device rests on top of wheels or castors so that it canbe rolled adjacent a piece of furniture where a physically challengedperson is resting. The portable bathing device also includes a bottomwall or floor along with upstanding wall portions. These upstanding sidewalls are generally in the shape of an oval, with stationary upstandingwall portions (i.e., portions that remain stationary relative to thebase or floor of the unit) and movable wall portions. The movable wallportions form, in essence, a door that may be hinged or otherwisemovable relative to the stationary wall portions. The door may be hingedto open from one side to another and includes, in one embodiment, all ofthe front wall, such that the bathing device can be rolled up underneatha bed or other seating device.

[0007] The portable bath apparatus further includes a seal interposedbetween the stationary upstanding wall portions and the movableupstanding wall portions. In one embodiment, the seal is a pneumaticseal that may be inflatable to prevent water from escaping between thestationary upstanding wall portions and the movable upstanding wallportions. The seal also allows the enclosure to be filled nearlycompletely with water for more efficient bathing.

[0008] The portable bath apparatus still further includes a plurality ofhydrotherapy jets for introducing into the enclosure pressurized waterwith atomized air.

[0009] The foregoing and other features, utilities, and advantages ofthe invention will be apparent from the following detailed descriptionof the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable bath apparatusaccording to the present invention;

[0011]FIG. 2 is a right side elevation view of the portable bathapparatus of FIG. 1;

[0012]FIG. 3 is a front view of the portable bath apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0013]FIG. 4 is a top view of the portable bath apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0014]FIG. 5 is a sectional side elevation view of the portable bathapparatus of FIG. 1;

[0015]FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the portable bath apparatusof FIG. 1; and

[0016]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the portable bath apparatus ofFIG. 1 rolled into position underneath a bed for assisting a disabledperson to enter into the portable bath apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The present invention comprises a portable bath apparatus 10, asshown in FIG. 1, which comprises a base 12 which supports a bottom wallor floor 14 of the portable bath apparatus. The base 12 rides on top ofwheels or castors 16 which allow the bath apparatus 10 to be rolledalong a surface on which the device is placed. The bath apparatusincludes a plurality of upstanding wall portions, including a front wall18, side walls 20, 22, and a rear wall 24. The walls 18, 20, 22, 24merge at rounded corners such that an oval overall shape is provided.Although an oval shape is shown in the drawings, those skilled in theart will understand that any other shape or configuration may beutilized without departing from the scope of the present invention. Theupstanding walls include two portions: a stationary portion 26 (i.e., itremains stationary relative to base 12), and a movable portion (i.e., itmoves relative to base 12). The movable wall portions are associatedwith a movable door 28 which includes portions of side walls 20 and 22,in addition to front wall 18. The door or movable wall portions 28articulates relative to hinge 29 (FIG. 4). Stationary wall portions 26include portions of side walls 20, 22 as well as rear wall 24.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the stationary portion 26 and door 28 meetalong edge 30 which includes both straight and curved portions. Edge 30is a contoured edge which allows for precise mating of the door 28 andstationary portion 26. The door 28 extends down to the base 12 atlocations corresponding to front wall 18 and portions of side walls 20,22. This configuration allows for a portion of the front of the bathapparatus 10 to be rolled underneath a bed, chair, or other piece offurniture to assist a physically challenged person to enter into andexit out of the bath apparatus 10. In one embodiment, the height betweenthe floor on which the device 10 rests and the bottom wall 14 isapproximately six inches, although other heights are readily achieved.

[0019] Upstanding walls 18, 20, 22, 24, when joined together at edge 30,provide an enclosure area 32 which provides sufficient space for aperson to sit and take a bath or shower. A seating area 34 is formedinside of enclosure 32 to allow the disabled person to sit down whilebathing or showering inside the portable bath apparatus 10.Alternatively, seating area 32 may comprise a totally separate seat,such as a folding chair, that may be placed inside of enclosure areaduring bathing or showering. Still further, a seating area may comprisethe bottom wall 14 such that the person using the portable bath devicesimply sits on top of the floor or bottom wall 14.

[0020] To ensure that water does not escape from enclosure 32 when door28 is closed relative to stationary portion 26, a seal 40, which may bean inflatable or pneumatic seal, is provided along the entire edge 30interposed between the stationary portion 26 and the door 28. The seal40, in one embodiment, has a hollow interior which may be filled withcompressed air after door 28 is closed to seal the apparatus and preventwater from escaping to the outside of enclosure 32. In one embodiment,pressurized air is introduced into seal 40 at 15 psi. An air tank 58(FIG. 1) provides pressurized air to seal 40. A plurality of latches orfastening devices 36 are provided to latch and hold door 28 in a closedposition relative to stationary portion 26.

[0021] The overall height of the bathing apparatus is approximately 36inches from the base 12 to the top of upstanding walls 18, 20, 22, 24.The portable bath apparatus 10 can be filled almost to the top (i.e.,within a few inches from the top to prevent overflowing given movementby the person inside the enclosure 32) to allow the person sittinginside of enclosure 32 to be almost completely immersed in water exceptfor the neck and head if desired.

[0022] As an alternative to bathing, a person may be placed or otherwisetransported inside of the portable bath apparatus 10, with the movableportion or door 28 being left open or closed. The person inside ofenclosure 32 (seated, kneeling, or standing) may then utilize ahand-held shower head 50 coupled to an extension hose 52 to take ashower inside enclosure 32. Excess water collecting on floor 14 wouldpass through a passageway 56 which leads to a sump (a sump may be held,for example, inside location 57 shown in FIG. 5). The sump can eitherdirect the water to a drain external to bath apparatus 10, or it canrecirculate the water into the enclosure 32 via hydrotherapy nozzles(discussed below) by way of an appropriate pumping system, known tothose skilled in the art.

[0023] A plurality of hydrotherapy nozzles 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70 (FIG.3) are provided on or operatively coupled to rear surface 24 and theupstanding wall of seating area 34. Nozzles 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, and 70introduce pressurized water that is atomized with air for providinghydrotherapy to users of bath apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. 6, thehydrotherapy nozzles (only nozzles 62 and 66 are shown in FIG. 6) arecoupled to a water supply line 72 which is coupled, in turn, to a watersource. As water moves through the supply lines toward the nozzles 62,66, a reducer is provided in the water supply lines (i.e., the insidediameter of the water supply lines reduces from one inch to one-halfinch) immediately before air intake supply lines 74, 76 such that aventuri is created. Air flowing toward nozzle locations 62, 66 will drawair into the stream of water so that the water being pumped throughnozzles 62, 66 will be atomized with air. An air inlet supply valve 80(FIG. 6) allows air to be introduced into an air supply conduit 79 (FIG.5), which is rolled around the top edge of stationary enclosure portion26. Supply conduit will provide air, in turn, to air intake supply lines74, 76.

[0024] A pump for the hydrotherapy jets 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70 is housedin enclosure area 90 (FIG. 5), which is accommodated by seating area 34.The specific types of pumps and nozzles will be known to those skilledin the art, and are the same or similar to the types of therapeuticnozzles utilized in connection with known jacuzzi or like bath devices.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 6, an access panels 100 are provided at the rearof the bath apparatus 10 on both sides of air tank 58 (only one accesspanel is shown in FIG. 6) to enable access into the location orenclosure 90 where the pumps, conduits, and other equipment used tooperate the bath apparatus are located. Access openings accessiblethrough panels 100 should be sized to allow for easy access into theinterior of enclosure 90.

[0026] With reference to FIG. 6, a gauge 82 is provided to measure thepressure of air introduced into seal 40. A pressure relief valve 84 isalso provided to release air from inside seal 40 after the enclosure 32has been drained and the door 28 is ready to be opened.

[0027] In operation, the movable upstanding wall portions or door 28 ofthe portable bath apparatus 10 is opened (i.e., articulated relative tostationary wall portions 26) and the device is rolled and positioned, atleast in part, underneath a bed (shown in phantom in FIG. 7) or otherpiece of furniture. A person (also shown in phantom) is able to directlyaccess (i.e., step directly into) the portable bath apparatus 10 becausea portion of the floor or bottom wall 14 extends beneath the bed. Afterthe person enters into the enclosure 32, the movable upstanding wallportions 28 are moved relative to the stationary upstanding wallportions 26 so that the two portions meet along edge 30 (FIG. 1).Thereafter, latches 36 are employed to secure the movable portion 28relative to the stationary portion 26. Air from pressurized aircontainer 58 is then introduced into seal 40 to prevent water fromescaping to the exterior of enclosure 32. Thereafter, water isintroduced into the enclosure by way of a faucet or other water supplyline 110 (FIG. 3) and the enclosure area is filled as desired by theperson utilizing the portable bath apparatus 10.

[0028] After a desired amount of water has been introduced intoenclosure 32, the person can either take a regular bath and/or canutilize hydrotherapy jets 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70 for treatment purposes.When the person is finished utilizing the portable bath apparatus 10,water is allowed to exist through drain 56, air is released from insideof pneumatic seal 40, and the door 28 is opened, allowing the person toexit the device.

[0029] When showering, the person can either roll the portable bathapparatus 10 away from the bed or the person can simply utilize thehand-held shower head 50 and take a shower in the same location with theportable bath apparatus 10 immediately adjacent the bed with the door 28opened. Alternatively, the portable bath apparatus 10 can be rolled awayfrom the bed and the movable door 28 can be articulated to close againststationary portion 26 in the manner described above.

[0030] Construction of the portable bath apparatus will be accomplishedas understood by those skilled in the art. A stainless steelconstruction of the entire enclosure and surrounding areas iscontemplated, although other suitable materials may be utilized withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention. Other constructionmethods, materials, and designs as understood by those skilled in theart may be utilized without departing from the scope of the presentinvention.

[0031] While this invention has been described with reference to certainspecific embodiments and examples, it will be recognized by thoseskilled in the art that many variations are possible without departingfrom the scope and spirit of this invention. The invention, as definedby the claims, is intended to cover all changes and modifications of theinvention which do not depart from the spirit of the invention. Thewords “including” and “having,” as used in the specification, includingthe claims, shall have the same meaning as the word “comprising.”

1. A portable bath apparatus, comprising: a bottom wall; first andsecond upstanding wall portions joining each other to provide anenclosure area; a seating area; the first upstanding wall portions beingstationary relative to the portable bath apparatus; the secondupstanding wall portions being movable relative to the stationary firstupstanding wall portions; the movable wall portions portion having abottom edge adjacent the bottom wall such that when the movable wallportions open relative to the stationary wall portions a portion of thebottom wall can be positioned under a piece of furniture.
 2. A portablebath apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the bottom wall has a heightof approximately 6 inches measured from a surface on which the portablebath apparatus rests.
 3. A portable bath apparatus according to claim 1,further comprising a plurality of wheels attached to the base such thatthe portable bath apparatus can be rolled on top of a surface.
 4. Aportable bath apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a sealpositioned between the door and the base.
 5. A portable bath apparatusaccording to claim 1, further comprising a pneumatic seal positionedbetween the door and the base.
 6. A portable bath apparatus according toclaim 1, further comprising a plurality of hydrotherapy nozzlesoperatively coupled to the enclosure to introduce mixed air and waterinto the enclosure.
 7. A portable bath apparatus according to claim 1,further comprising six hydrotherapy nozzles operatively coupled to theenclosure to introduce mixed air and water into the enclosure.
 8. Aportable bath apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising ashower nozzle operatively coupled to the enclosure to allow a personutilizing the portable bath apparatus to shower.
 9. A portable bathapparatus according to claim 1 wherein the base and the door join todefine a seal area where a complete seal is achieved to allow theenclosure to be filled with water.
 10. A portable bath apparatus,comprising: a bottom wall; first and second upstanding wall portionsjoining each other to provide an enclosure area; the first upstandingwall portions being stationary relative to the portable bath apparatus;the second upstanding wall portions being movable relative to the first,stationary upstanding wall portions; a plurality of hydrotherapy nozzlesoperatively coupled to the enclosure to inject pressurized water intothe enclosure during use of the portable bath apparatus.
 11. A portablebath apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the movable wall portionsportion have a bottom edge adjacent the bottom wall such that when themovable wall portions open relative to the stationary wall portions thebottom wall can be positioned under a piece of.
 12. A portable bathapparatus according to claim 10 wherein the movable wall portionsportion have a bottom edge adjacent the bottom wall such that when themovable wall portions open relative to the stationary wall portions thebottom wall can be positioned under a piece of furniture, and whereinthe bottom wall has a height of approximately 6 inches measured from asurface on which the portable bath apparatus rests.
 13. A portable bathapparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a plurality ofwheels attached to the base such that the portable bath apparatus can berolled on top of a surface.
 14. A portable bath apparatus according toclaim 10, further comprising a seal positioned between the door and thebase.
 15. A portable bath apparatus according to claim 10, furthercomprising a pneumatic seal positioned between the door and the base.16. A portable bath apparatus according to claim 10 wherein thehydrotherapy nozzles comprise six hydrotherapy nozzles.
 17. A portablebath apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising a shower nozzleoperatively coupled to the enclosure to allow a person utilizing theportable bath apparatus to shower.
 18. A portable bath apparatusaccording to claim 10 wherein the base and the door join to define aseal area where a complete seal is achieved to allow the enclosure to befilled with water.
 19. A portable bath apparatus, comprising: a bottomwall; first and second upstanding wall portions joining each other toprovide an enclosure area; the first upstanding wall portions beingstationary relative to the portable bath apparatus; the secondupstanding wall portions being movable relative to the first, stationaryupstanding wall portions; a seal interposed between the first and secondupstanding wall portions; a shower head operatively coupled to theenclosure.
 20. A method of bathing a person, comprising: providing anenclosure including a bottom wall and first and second upstanding wallportions joining each other to form the enclosure area; the firstupstanding wall portions being stationary relative to the portable bathapparatus, the second upstanding wall portions being movable relative tothe stationary first upstanding wall portions, the movable wall portionsportion having a bottom edge adjacent the bottom wall, opening themovable, second upstanding wall portions to open the enclosure; movingthe portable bath apparatus adjacent a piece of furniture such that aportion of the bottom wall extends underneath a piece of furniture toassist a person desiring to enter into and exit from the portable bathapparatus.